Who’s who of hearts’ new signings

MARTIN GREIG February 02 2006

If Hearts' title challenge ultimately falters this season, it will not be down to lack of available personnel.

While most Bank Of Scotland Premierleague clubs indulged in modest squad bolstering during January's transfer window, the Tynecastle club brought in 11 new recruits during the 31 days.

The influx of new faces brought the total spent by Vladimir Romanov, the club's Lithuanian owner, to more than £2m in January alone.

The lure of Champions League football next season is huge for several of the signings, and Romanov will consider second spot in the league to be the minimum return on his investment.

Romanov has been working over-time on negotiating deals with players over the past month. Now Graham Rix, the Tynecastle coach, has to prove he can mould them into a winning team.

There was further good news yesterday when full back Robbie Neilson signed a new three-year contract, and midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas extended a loan deal with the club until the end of the season.

The Lithuanian internationalist joined the Tynecastle team a year ago from FBK Kaunas and has scored three times in 28 appearances.

Neilson, 25, would have been out of contract this summer, but the club have acted to secure his long-term services.

Rais M'bolhi (goalkeeper, 19)

A free agent having been released from Marseille at the end of the season and has been signed up on a six-month deal. Worked closely with Fabien Barthez at the French club despite only making one top-team appearance in 18 months

José Gonçalves (defender, 21)

Signed for FBK Kaunas from Swiss outfit FC Thun for £700,000 and immediately loaned to Hearts for 31/2 years. The Portugese left back played every game in Thun's Champions League campaign this season, in which they finished third in Group B behind Arsenal and Ajax but ahead of Sparta Prague. He snubbed interest from Rangers and Everton to join up in Edinburgh

Martin Petras (defender, 26)

The Slovakian internationalist defender played in all six of Sparta's Champions League games against Arsenal, Ajax and FC Thun. Eleven caps and one goal for his country is a further indicator of his pedigree. He has signed a six-month loan deal from FBK Kaunas

Bruno Aguiar (midfield, 24)

Played 18 times for Benfica last season, when they won the Superliga title for the first time in 10 years. A product of the Portugese club's youth system, he rejected an offer from Marítimo to come to Tynecastle. Verbal agreement was made three months ago to come to Edinburgh, but international clearance only arrived this week

Mirsad Beslija (midfield, 26)

Snapped up from Racing Genk for a club record fee of £850,000. Will be assigned a chauffeur for the first month of his time at Tynecastle, to get him used to driving on the left-hand side of the road. Previous Champions League experience includes turning out for Genk against Real Madrid, AS Roma and AEK Athens in the group stage back in season 2002/03. Has 39 caps for Bosnia

Neil McCann (midfield, 31)

Returned to the Tynecastle club from Southampton on a 31/2-year deal after seven years away. Eager to put his Ill-fated spell on the south coast of England behind him and re-enter Walter Smith's plans. Only the prolific Rudi Skacel, who occupies McCann's favoured left-sided berth, stands in his way

Lee Johnson (midfield, 24)

Midfielder signed from English League 1 side Yeovil earlier last month in a £60,000 deal. His father, Gary, is the former coach of the Latvian national side and is now managing Bristol City. At just 5ft 6in, he will not be a physical presence but should add a goal-scoring threat

Nerijus Barasa (midfield, 27)

Right-sided Lithuanian midfielder who has been capped 24 times for his country. On loan from Kaunas until the end of the season

Chris Hackett (midfield, 24)

A £20,000 capture from Rix's former club Oxford, he has signed a 21/2-year deal. The winger was sounded out by Hibs, and Marseille were also reported to be interested, but he chose Hearts, and the prospect of Champions League football. "He's got great pace, is a good crosser of the ball and has plenty of potential." said Rix

Ludek Straceny (striker, 25)

Signed from FC Marila Pribram. He scored the second in the Viktoria Zizkov's 2-0 win over Rangers in the UEFA Cup, and has two caps for the Czech Republic. Another who arrives via Kaunas

Juho Makela (striker, 22)

£500,000 arrival from HJK Helsinki, he scored 33 goals in 41 games for the Finnish club. Has five caps for his country and could feature in the Tennent's Scottish Cup-tie gainst Aberdeen at the weekend. "Soon there won't only be two big teams in Scotland, there will be three," he said.

Taken from the Herald